take apart

present singular third person takes apart · participle present taking apart · past took apart · participle past taken apart

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see take, apart.
   1. To dismantle something into its component pieces.

      I carefully took the clock mechanism apart to clean it.

   2. archaicTo move someone away from others to be able to talk to, or give them something in private.

      ....then went close up to him, and took him apart into a dark corner. "I say," he began, with a thoughtful brow, "haven't I seen you before

      1868, Charles Dickens, Barnaby Rudge

2. informalTo soundly defeat someone, or a (sport) team.

   And besides, I was also enjoying the way you took them apart. You know, arguing with them like you did.

   2001, by Orson Scott Card, Shadow of the Hegemon, page 143

   1 more example

   Argentine defender Martinez, normally so reliable and combative, was taken apart, especially when Salah led him a merry dance to set up Gakpo to settle the game with Liverpool's third five minutes after half-time.

   2023 March 5, Phil McNulty, “Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United”, in BBC Sport

   Synonyms: tear apart

3. to criticise someone

   For nearly an hour, I took them apart for failing to understand, connect with, empathize with, and listen to the American people.?

   2007, Frank Luntz, Words That Work, page 150